Head of People & Culture

About Village Ice Cream

Village Ice Cream is an independently owned Calgary-based super‑premium ice cream company. Founded in 2012, we operate six scoop shops across some of Calgary’s most vibrant neighbourhoods. Every shop makes its ice cream in‑house, creating a product and customer experience that is distinctly Village.

Our scoop shops are neighbourhood gathering places—the kind of spots where families celebrate milestones, run clubs refuel, and neighbours catch up over a cone. Over the years, we’ve built strong relationship within the communities we serve through local partnerships, charitable initiatives, and a loyal customer base. We are growing thoughtfully, with a focus on building a business that will thrive for decades while preserving the culture, quality, and community connection that make Village what it is.

The Opportunity

Ice cream may be what we make, but we wouldn’t be Village without our people. We’re looking for our next Head of People & Culture to continue shaping a workplace that feels as thoughtful, welcoming, and memorable as the experience we create for our guests.

Working closely with the Leadership Team, you’ll shape the vision and strategy for how we attract, support, develop, and celebrate our people. You’ll bring a thoughtful people perspective to business decisions, help our leaders navigate complex situations, and create practical systems that make Village an even better place to work.

On any given day, you’ll move comfortably between big‑picture strategy and hands‑on problem‑solving. Whether you’re facilitating a leadership meeting, coaching a manager, improving a policy or process, or helping a team navigate change, you care deeply about creating a place where talented people can thrive, contribute, and have fun along the way.

You won’t be expected to know every answer. When specialized legal or HR expertise is needed, we work with trusted external advisors. What matters is that you bring sound judgment, recognize when additional expertise is required, and can turn advice into a clear, practical, and human approach.

This is a full‑time, in‑person role based at our Head Office, with travel to our scoop shops as needed. The role currently reports to our Founder and CEO, Billy Friley, and will transition to reporting to our future Chief Operating Officer as Village’s leadership structure evolves. The Head of People & Culture will remain an active member of the Leadership Team.

How You’ll Make an Impact

This role touches almost every part of Village. Every improvement you make—whether it’s redesigning our hiring process, coaching a manager through a difficult conversation, planning an unforgettable team event, or writing a new policy—helps create a better experience for our team.

People & Culture Leadership

• Shape and carry out our People & Culture strategy, connecting people priorities to Village’s goals and bringing a thoughtful people perspective to Leadership Team decisions.
• Balance the needs of individuals, teams, and the organization with empathy, objectivity, consistency, and sound judgment.
• Lead by example and help bring Village’s purpose, values, and culture to life across the organization.

Hiring, Onboarding & the Employee Experience

• Lead hiring from start to finish, including recruitment strategy, job postings, applicant review, interview coordination, candidate selection, and offers.
• Create a warm, organized onboarding experience, including facilitating our in‑person onboarding day and coordinating the behind‑the‑scenes setup that prepares someone to begin work.
• Plan and bring to life training, professional development, team builders, employee events, recognition, and other initiatives that help people feel connected and supported.
• Create meaningful ways for employees to share feedback, contribute ideas, and help strengthen the workplace throughout their time at Village.

Supporting Great Leaders & Teams

• Coach and advise leaders as they navigate employee questions, performance concerns, difficult conversations, change, and other sensitive people matters.
• Listen carefully and respond fairly when concerns arise, including coordinating workplace reviews or investigations when needed and supporting clear, proportionate follow‑through.
• Facilitate Leadership Team and management meetings and help maintain the communication rhythms that keep our teams aligned.
• Partner with our Founder, Finance, and other leaders on compensation, benefits, organizational planning, and related people initiatives.

Clear, Practical People Systems

• Write, review, and implement clear policies, procedures, templates, and resources that reflect our values and create consistency.
• Maintain accurate employee records and employment documentation, support compliance, and coordinate matters involving benefits, EI, WCB, and other employment requirements.
• Use technology and thoughtful process improvements to simplify work, reduce friction, and strengthen how People & Culture services are delivered across Village.

Internal Communication & Workplace Operations

• Lead internal communications, including our weekly company email, company‑wide announcements, policy updates, and other important information.
• Oversee practical workplace administration, including software and technology coordination, keys and alarm access, office supplies, and the systems that help our Head Office run smoothly.
• Take ownership of the details within your function while continuing to look for better, more organized ways of working.

Ideal Candidate

We don’t expect one perfect career path. We care more about what you’ve done, how you think, and how you work with people than a particular title, credential, or number of years in the field.

The ideal candidate for this role:

• Brings hands‑on experience working with people and feels comfortable taking ownership of areas such as hiring, employee relations, policies, internal communications, and compliance. That experience may come from Human Resources or People & Culture, but it could also come from leadership, operations, hospitality, retail, or another people‑focused role.
• Communicates with warmth and clarity, whether you’re writing a company‑wide update, navigating a sensitive conversation, or facilitating a meeting.
• Is approachable, trustworthy, and discreet. People feel comfortable coming to you, and they can count on you to listen carefully, handle concerns fairly, and follow through.
• Is comfortable coaching and advising leaders, sharing your perspective, and respectfully challenging ideas or decisions when you believe there is a better path forward.
• Is passionate about employee engagement and enjoy finding creative, meaningful ways for people to feel informed, connected, supported, and involved.
• Can move comfortably between big‑picture strategic thinking and hands‑on execution. You enjoy shaping the plan, and you’re equally willing to roll up your sleeves and bring it to life.
• Is highly organized, resourceful, and able to prioritize effectively while keeping track of the details that matter.
• Has experience with technology, including Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, HR and learning management systems, and is curious about how new tools, including AI, can make work better. You use those tools thoughtfully and apply your own critical judgment.
• Has a working understanding of Alberta Employment Standards, Occupational Health & Safety requirements, and Human Rights legislation.
• Cares about creating an inclusive workplace and is open to feedback, continued learning, and evolving how we support the different people who make up Village.
• Brings a high degree of emotional intelligence and can balance empathy with objectivity, individual needs with organizational needs, and compassion with accountability.

Our Compensation Offer Includes

• Full‑time, salaried position
• Annual performance reviews
• 100% company‑funded Health Spending Account
• Three weeks of paid vacation
• Participation in the Village Mini Business Program and other professional development opportunities

What to Expect from Our Hiring Process

• An initial phone conversation
• In‑person interview(s) with our Founder and members of the hiring team
• A meet and greet with members of our Leadership Team
• Reference conversations with past employers or other professional contacts
• While we’d love to meet everyone who applies, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Thank you for taking the time to apply!

Village Ice Cream is committed to being a meaningful ally in celebrating and supporting diversity and inclusion. We continue to learn and evolve how we create safe, equitable, and meaningful employment opportunities for the many different people who make up our community. Accommodations are available upon request throughout every stage of our hiring process.